Kitchen Access
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Appliances With a Parallel Approach but No Nine-Inch Toe Kick
KITCHEN—Design Considerations: Cabinet Structure, Approach Clear Floor Space, High And Low Reach, U - Shaped Kitchen, Pass Through Kitchen, Approach Examples, Fixture Height And Location, Maneuvering Inside A Kitchen.
KITCHEN WORK SURFACE AND FIXTURES
KITCHEN—Design Considerations: Wheelchair accessibility asks that every path, every space, and every fixture receive special consideration. In a kitchen, that special consideration begins with the countertop's height. Height of an obstruction at a parallel approach: 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finished floor, pages 82 and 83. Height of a kitchen work surface: 34 inches maximum above the finished floor, page 216. Height of a kitchen sink: 34 inches maximum above the finished floor, page 216. Keeping the majority of the kitchen countertops at a consistent height quickly becomes a consideration. In the kitchen section, except over an elevated cabinet, countertops are pictured at 33-3/4 inches (857 mm) above the finished floor.
CABINET STRUCTURE—Toe Kick Height: A toe kick is installed. To create an accessible toe space, the top of the toe kick is, at minimum, 9 inches (229 mm) above the finished floor.
CABINET STRUCTURE—Cabinet and Countertop Height: A 23-1/2 inch (597 mm) tall universal access cabinet is installed above the toe kick. This cabinet with a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) plywood cap and a 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) thick countertop brings the top of the countertop to a height of 33-3/4 inches (857 mm) above the finished floor.
CABINET STRUCTURE—Work Surface: a. At minimum, one 30 inch (762 mm) wide section of countertop. b. 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finished floor. c. forward approach clear floor space with knee and toe space.
CABINET STRUCTURE—Fixtures: Clearance above, below, behind, and at both sides of a fixture are critical. Typically, ADA compliant fixtures that require knee clearance have a specifications sheet that detail Knee and Toe space, Fixture height above the finished floor, Fixture distance from the front of a countertop, Side wall, back wall, and cabinet structure's minimum clearance around heated elements, electrical hookups, gas hookups, drain assembly, supply lines, and the like.
APPROACH CLEAR FLOOR SPACE—A kitchen fixture's forward or parallel approach clear floor space is centered on the fixture. A dishwasher's clear floor space is positioned adjacent to a dishwasher door. An example is on page 224. A work surface is positioned adjacent to an oven door. Guidelines and a note are on page 216. Note: An open fixture door should have, at minimum, a 30 inch (762 mm) wide clearance in front of it.
HIGH AND LOW REACH—Typical high and low reach guidelines are: 44 inch (1118 mm) maximum obstructed high forward reach, page 78. 48 inch (1219 mm) maximum obstructed high parallel reach, page 83. 15 inch (381 mm) minimum unobstructed low parallel reach, page 81.
U - SHAPED KITCHEN—a. U - shaped kitchens have three connected sides and one entrance. b. 90 degrees to the entrance, 60 inches (1524 mm) is the minimum distance between any combination of opposing countertops, cabinets, appliances, or walls.
PASS THROUGH KITCHEN—a. Pass through kitchens have two entrances in line with each other. b. 40 inches (1016 mm) is the minimum distance between any combination of opposing countertops, cabinets, appliances, or walls.
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Refrigerator-Freezer and Cooktop
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Refrigerator-Freezer and Cooktop
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Dishwasher
Making sure a person can enter a kitchen, use any fixture in any order, turn around and leave requires planning. It also requires answers to basic questions. Is a fixture readily available? Is there an accessible toe space below a cabinet? Which approach clear floor space makes a fixture accessible? Does a fixture require knee clearance? Where are a fixture's hard edges when its door is open? When closed? How does a turning space lead from one fixture to the remaining fixtures in the kitchen?
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Sink
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Sink (continued)
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Work Surface
How does a turning space lead from one fixture to the remaining fixtures in the kitchen?
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Range
Does a fixture require knee clearance?
APPROACH EXAMPLES—Built-in Oven
Is there an accessible toe space below a cabinet?
FIXTURE HEIGHT AND LOCATION—A taller cabinet, housing an elevated appliance, provides the height and location for an appliance that does not fit under a 33-3/4" (857 mm) tall kitchen countertop.
MANEUVERING INSIDE A KITCHEN—Below, circular turning spaces illustrate how approach space and turning space overlap, providing a path from one fixture to another.
Ensure your home is the right space.
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